Inside Unmanned Systems

AUG-SEP 2018

Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.

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18 unmanned systems
inside
August/September 2018
AIR
IPP UPDATE
"They had a much longer list of
things that they want to have done
than we had on the top of our list. And
so we've asked them to focus on the
key items that are not being covered by
other lead participants—yet, right now,
which are (still) very much focused on
their (airport's needs). Because again
we didn't have the duplication in
those," said Lawrence.
STILL ENTHUSIASTIC, BUT…
It's important to note no one who
spoke to Inside Unmanned Systems
was any less enthusiastic about going
ahead with the IPP program and no
one suggested the sharpened focus
was misguided. If anything there was
a consistent, albeit perhaps grudging,
acceptance of the need to focus only
on the top priorities to move the entire
industry forward.
It was clear from interviews, how-
ever, that at least some of the teams
hadn't expected such a change and
felt they had little choice but to go
along.
The FAA does not provide funding
for the teams but it has hired extra
program managers, one for every two
teams, to help speed requests for waiv-
ers. More importantly, the FA A has
pledged to fast track IPP waiver re-
quests and has even lined up specialists
to help teams work through difficulties.
The non-priority projects, however,
will not be getting that kind of help.
Though participants in the now side-
lined missions can pursue their proj-
ects under the existing waiver process
experience suggests they won't get very
far. Only a tiny percentage of beyond-
visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) waiver
requests, for example, have been grant-
Photos courtesy of Intel and the North Dakota Department of Transportation.
The Falcon 8+ drine from intel,
a Memphis team partner.
North Dakota also has one of the
most active FAA test ranges.
NORTH DAKOTA
TENNESSEE